Thursday, November 29, 2012

So, we have now finished off our Semester of Life Groups at our church and said our blessings to the women of the Group in class and I would love to share Cecile Turners blessing for all of you who were following along on the blog.

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"I challenge you ladies to stop hiding in the long grass, stop peeking out and observing what others are doing, how they are going on in God - but Part the grass and come leaping out in strength - not to dominate but to shine by bringing what you have to the PRIDE!
I challenge you not to slumber or hesitate in your gifting but realize the beauty and wonder that has been poured into you. You are God's solution to your world. This is same solution for THE world.

Thank God for continuing to bring their gifting into focus, to bring clarity like a microscope as He brings things into focus that we couldn't see naturally, but were always right before our eyes!
Thank God for the time that we had, this chiros time that afforded us a Pool of Bethsaida moment - the anointing, the stepping out in faith to meet Jesus and be healed and empowered to move forward! Revelation gives you the permission to go there!"
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Beautiful hey??!!! What an encouragement and challenge!!!

Well I have had quite the time and season while leading this life group. I know God is a God who loves to teach and bring us through a journey and I feel like the last few months has been a bit surreal. Among the business of it. Which honestly was more "full" then it was busy for the most part. It was as if, each session, God popped out a new lesson and allowed me to be challenged in new ways, all directly connected with each week of teaching and leading. FUNNY how that all works.

Session 1 Awaken a Lioness....
... this was a session that I really really had a hard time with because I have desperately desired to have dreams from God and can only really recall one... and certainly not one recently. So I am still on this journey of praying over my sleep and believing that God will come to me in my sleep to speak over my spirit and awaken my soul.

Session 2Dangerously Awake
To get to the Lion, the enemy will have to tranquilize the lioness.
I feel like I have been in a season of this. A season of unhealthy anxiety and horrible sleep. I have been side tracked for many many months, trying to get past a nagging dark cloud. It has been so hard to shake it. And I have tried... but tried mostly on my own with my own strength. I am only beginning to see how the enemy has been keeping me from where my focus should be. I don't remember the last time that I journaled. Something that was dear to me a couple years back and I have known that I have needed to get back to that. So last night with the push from my husband. I wrote and wrote. I pray this is a step to an overwhelming awakening of my spirit to be able to see what God is doing, to an even greater extent!!!

Session 3 The Sum of Fear and Wonder"Our thoughts create our reality - where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go." Peter Mc Williams
I have created a fear in my mind of sickness that has captivated my attention and focus. I have meditated on the thought of being sick instead of trusting God and His desire for us to live long and fruitful lives. It's not enough to be captivating if we are still captive!It's not enough to fight if we are just fighting for ourselves!

“My dear friends, this is now the second time I’ve written to you, both letters reminders to hold your minds in a state of undistracted attention.” 2 Peter 3:1

You and I are responsible for holding our minds at attention. No one else can hold your mind but you. You determine what you will attend to. It is one of the ways you develop strength.

Session 4Strength is for Service
"When was the last time you were part of fulfilling someone else’s dream? "
So this was the week that I found out that I hadn't been picked for a part of Christmas in Concert. To be honest, I totally would not have picked myself either. I had almost peed myself singing for the audition, I was shaky and scared and full of anxiety. So much that there is no way that it made sense to put me through!!! That aside, it was hard. First off because it was the first time I have sang for me, since about 10 years ago when I gave up my dream of singing in any form. I put myself out there. Which is the wrong motivation in the first place. My purpose in life should be to do things to serve others not my self!!! Secondly because I had to watch those who I had encouraged to audition get parts. I helped in pushing others to see a dream come to pass. That was difficult. What a lesson to go through. But vital. We all have calling on our lives. This is not my season for music. If I had gotten a part, I would not have been able to dial in and enjoy to the extent that I have the semester of leading a life group! You, all you women out there are my calling. You are why I write and why I live a life open to relationships beyond me!!

Session 5Under the Same Mission
Healthy lions and lionesses know they need each other if they are to flourish rather than merely survive. The key words here are healthy, need and flourish. It is healthy to admit we need others; it is healing for both genders to acknowledge this truth.
God has been bringing me on a journey of how much that I need my husband and to be unified with him though all circumstances.
INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT LIVE ON PURPOSE WANDER AIMLESSLY!!! We have been living too long with out a clarified purpose. We are now on a mandated season of praying over our nightimes and plan on putting together our "Rallying Cry" for our family!! Adam and I need to continue to allow our individual roles to build our family towards success. Success in the calling that God is laying before us!

Session 6aGreet and Groom
This was by far one of my favorite sessions. This has been one of the great journeys that God has put me on in the last many years. Of how much that we as women need each other. And how much I need to choose women to speak into my life. I am blessed to say that through this life group, and our church. I have found some key women. To keep on grooming me and encouraging me in life. (Thank you dear mothers/mentors I pray for a continuation of depth and purposed relationship) Also Mom I love you! Thank you for always being there for me and for grooming me through the 28 years and counting.

Session 6bLioness are Strategic
Through one of the ladies in the group I got the opportunity to read an incredible book. One that I have posted on the FB group. http://www.amazon.com/Three-Big-Questions-Frantic-Family/dp/0787995320 What a revelation of the need for living with a clear picture of purpose for our family. I am looking forward to the Christmas week off for Adam to go though putting down on paper our family mandate!!!

Session 7 Lionesses Live in the Light and Hunt in the Dark
Two of the questions that were in the work pages were:
Is there an area in your life that is currently weighing on you?
Is there an area in which you are not “keeping company” with Jesus?
As Session 3 began to pull out, I have had huge night time anxiety and fear of health issues. That has been weighing on me for about a year. I have written about a time when I went in to the hospital and I believe that Satan planted a seed of fear in my heart and through the busy season our last baby being born and moving I hadn't had time to process and really pray out anything that Satan had put into my heart. I had made an agreement with myself that I would end up getting sick again. I am full force in prayer warrior mode to get that crap out of my life. I am claiming life, health and restoration for myself and a bright and exciting future for what God has called me in!!! Praise the Lord for being able to be a mother, a wife, daughter, sister and friend for a long long life time!!!

Session 8Walking and Roaring with our LionDon't measure what is before you with what was behind you.We need to pray passionate, intelligent, and strategic prayers with a God purpose.

Both of those points have hit like a ton of bricks!!! God works His wonders in new and beautiful ways, each time. The enemy is not creative and will attempt to get at us in the same way, always overplaying his hand. I will not claim what was behind me as what is to come but I WILL pray passionate, intelligent and strategic prayers!!!! Ready to see what God has on the horizon for me and my family!!!

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Well that has been my journey.

Thank you all dear friends. For your continued support and love, through every season.

I hope that you have had at least a couple "Pop" out moments during these last few months of Lioness Arising.

I look forward to a new season starting in the next couple week with amazing and beautiful new Guest blogs!!!

The most important thing in life is to hear from God and then to follow Him.

Walking with our God is like walking with a Lion.

Lisa gives the story of the part in Narnia when Lucy sees Aslan who is directing them to go in a certain direction and the others don't believe her. They have an arduous time that they and end up in the same place where they started. Lucy then awakes to the call from Aslan who tells her that she should have listened in the beginning, whether or not the others followed.

Some times we just know things that no one else sees. In those moments we need to remember that we are not alone and not to be afraid.

At times God will appear to only us in a situation.
We need to wake up and sense that God is with us. Getting up and going means that we are willing to see what will be on the other side.

We want a map and replay but God wants to create mystery.

Things never happen the same way twice.

Don't measure what is before you with what was behind you.

There is something that happens when you are ready even if you don't know where you are going.

God alone knows where to lead us. God will give us the strength to go where He is leading.

Where is it that God is leading that you are afraid to walk into?

Matthew 16:24-25

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how.

No one wants to embrace suffering. But we need to allow God to rise us up to become a people invincible.

We need to be amazed at the enormity of what we have been entrusted to.

God's focus for us will always involve other people.

1 Timothy 1:18

The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.

There are prophesy and visions for you to grab a hold of with a tenacious passion

Lisa believes that the last decade was an out working of brokenness.

We are to wield weapons for others.
God is going to ask us to rule on behalf of others.

We as women need to be amazed at what we have been entrusted and know that it has more to do with the future then the right now.

We will need God and add the factor of prayer to be empowered.

We need to pray with a purpose.

Humility begins with a whisper but prayer ends with a roar.

In order for a lion to roar they need a change in posture.
They need to stand to their feet and drop their head to open the rib cage (increases capacity, humility increases our capacity for more of God.) Then they breathe in all the air they can , lift their head then release the mighty roar. That roar contains enough power to be heard with in a 5 mile radius. And shakes the ground around them. You don't just hear the roar you feel it.
We need to have a posture change so that the weight of our payer is not just heard but felt.

Jeremiah 25:30

“‘God roars like a lion from high heaven;

thunder rolls out from his holy dwelling—

Ear-splitting bellows against his people,

shouting hurrahs like workers in harvest.

The noise reverberates all over the earth;

everyone everywhere hears it."

When we begin to exemplify our Lion we will hear his roar and it will echo it on earth.

Hosea 11:10

“The people will end up following God.

I will roar like a lion—

Oh, how I’ll roar!

My frightened children will come running from the west.

Like frightened birds they’ll come from Egypt,

from Assyria like scared doves.

I’ll move them back into their homes.”

God’s Word!"

"The God whisper has become a shout." Bobby Huston
".....And the collective shout has become a roar." Lisa Bevere

Job 26:11-14

"Thunder crashes and rumbles in the skies.Listen! It’s God raising his voice!By his power he stills sea storms,by his wisdom he tames sea monsters.With one breath he clears the sky,with one finger he crushes the sea serpent.And this is only the beginning,a mere whisper of his rule.Whatever would we do if he really raised his voice!”

Joshua 6:10

" Joshua had given orders to the people, “Don’t shout. In fact, don’t even speak—not so much as a whisper until you hear me say, ‘Shout!’—then shout away!”

Whatever would we do if He raised His voice?God is surrounding things and created a lull, until He completely surrounds. Then He will ask us to release a shout!It's not enough to be just angry, we need to pray, and shout our pain.Lets bring forth life from the pain and redeem the turmoil.Like a woman in labour, let us be efficient through the pain in order to bring forth life. "I was not the lion but it fell to me to give the roar." Winston Churchill.Lions roar to protect their territory to say that are up and alert. It sets up boundaries, and creates allegiances and allies. It reveals the character and strength!! The roar declares who they are.Lionesses roar to protect the young. They never roar alone but in groups of three or more!!! They also roar to validate and call in the lost members of the tribe.

We need to declare His domain and to protect the young from death and destruction.

Lets remember not to face the darkness alone.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

"By yourself you’re unprotected.With a friend you can face the worst.Can you round up a third?A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped."

Matthew 22:37

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list.

FAITH, HOPE, LOVE - Prayer is the motivation of all of these.

We need to pray passionate, intelligent, and strategic prayers with a God purpose.

"Rise like lions after slumber, in unvaquishable number, shake your chains to earth like dew, which in sleep had fallen on you- ye are many- they are few." Percy Bysshe ShelleyOpen our eyes to know that there are more with us then with them.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Lioness Arising Session 7 Recap.Lionesses Live in the Light and Hunt in the Dark!!

OOoooo.... this is a pretty big recap... so hopefully you make it through to the end. ;)

Living in the Light
Lionesses nap for approximately 21 hrs of the day... the live sprawled out in the sunshine. They live lightly while being at ease and at rest. They lounge around knowing that they are the most powerful thing in the African plain.

Proverbs 28:1 "The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run offeven when no one’s after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions."

*RELAX*CONFIDENT*BOLD*

(at ease with strength, at rest with power)

Like the lioness we need to express "I am what I am"!!When we speak we speak boldly with a strength and with a weight to it. We need to live UNAFRAID and UNASHAMED!!Our lives are an expression of what God created us to be.The lionesses lives expand their territory They live lives that are open, allowing others to live openly around them!!Ephesians 5:8-10 "You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it."

NO MORE STUMBLING AROUND!

We are called to live in the light even in a world of darkness. We need daylight actions in a darkened time.Romans 5:2 "By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise."God has already opened up the door to us all we need to do is open our own door!!We are ultimately the door keepers of our life. We need to allow God in but also need to be careful what other things we are allowing into our lives. So what are we giving entrance to?Mark 4:22 “Does anyone bring a lamp home and put it under a washtub or beneath the bed? Don’t you put it up on a table or on the mantel? We’re not keeping secrets, we’re telling them; we’re not hiding things, we’re bringing them out into the open."We are not allowing the shadows to cover our lives and keep us from living in the light!!!Hunt in the DarkLionesses have the ability to take any light and refract and contain the light and become lit from within.If there is ever a time for the church to reflect the light now would be it.We need to have vision that is not effected by our surroundings or subject to our environment.

We need to have inward vision, in the midst of the gross darkness that covers people. We need to be the light.

God has always wanted people to SEE.
What are we doing that is keeping others and ourselves from SEEING?

Ephesians 1:17-18 "That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!"

To have eyes of understanding and that are enlightened.

What we behold we become. What we give attention to we give expression to.

We need to ask God to give us eyes to see what he is doing.

God is raising up a prophetic people.

It doesn't take enlightenment to see a problem, it takes enlightenment to see a solution.

The distressed in spirit cry out for more.

It's almost as if God has closed the "womb" of the church to position us to have a desperate desire to cry out for more.

God desires to have the worlds attention, not to judge but to redeem the people.

What are we going to look like in these last days?

VIBRANT?! Very much alive!!

It's time to mature, take criticism and GROW UP!

We need to navigate the darkness so well that those around us want to follow. To be the type of people that "seem to know where they are going."

The disciples saw the crowds, Jesus saw the individuals.

When we are people who see like Jesus sees we are favored to be an answer.

We are coming into a time of prophetic. And in that we need to be wonderful NOT weird!!!
Jesus brought wonder!!!

John 5:19-21 “I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing."

If you can't see what the Father is doing you can't do what He is doing!

You are God's daughter and we have a right to ask for what we need to see!!!

Acts 2:17-18

“In the Last Days,” God says,“I will pour out my Spiriton every kind of people:Your sons will prophesy,also your daughters;Your young men will see visions,your old men dream dreams.When the time comes,I’ll pour out my SpiritOn those who serve me, men and women both,and they’ll prophesy.I’ll set wonders in the sky aboveand signs on the earth below,Blood and fire and billowing smoke,the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,Before the Day of the Lord arrives,the Day tremendous and marvelous;And whoever calls out for helpto me, God, will be saved.”

You are prophetic by virtue of the day of your birth!!

God wants you to see and hear and release!!!

The Visionary are farsighted!!

There are those who are trapped in darkness waiting for us to see them. We need to see and to pray!!

Isaiah 2:3

There’s a day comingwhen the mountain of God’s HouseWill be The Mountain—solid, towering over all mountains.All nations will river toward it,people from all over set out for it.They’ll say, “Come,let’s climb God’s Mountain,go to the House of the God of Jacob.He’ll show us the way he worksso we can live the way we’re made.”Zion’s the source of the revelation.God’s Message comes from Jerusalem.He’ll settle things fairly between nations.He’ll make things right between many peoples.They’ll turn their swords into shovels,their spears into hoes.No more will nation fight nation;they won’t play war anymore.Come, family of Jacob,let’s live in the light of God.

We were made to do this with God!!!

5 Prophetic Directives from Isaiah 49

LOOK UP - heaven perspective

LOOK AROUND - we have a desperate need for God

LOOK WELL - look to bring reconciliation and health

LOOK AHEAD

TELL THE TRUTH

We need to ask for the infilling and outpouring of God's Spirit to us.

14 But you know all about it—the contempt, the abuse.I dare to believe that the lucklesswill get lucky someday in you.You won’t let them down:orphans won’t be orphans forever.

15-16 Break the wicked right arms,break all the evil left arms.Search and destroyevery sign of crime.God’s grace and order wins;godlessness loses.

17-18 The victim’s faint pulse picks up;the hearts of the hopeless pump red bloodas you put your ear to their lips.Orphans get parents,the homeless get homes.The reign of terror is over,the rule of the gang lords is ended.

Monday, November 12, 2012

God will give energy and insights of justice to those who guide and decide. Strength and prowess to those who guard and protect. Isaiah 28:6

Within Strategy are three things. Timing, Camouflage and Proximity

Prowess: exceptional ability, skill, strength, valor or bravery

I don't do everything well but what we were created to do, do it and do it well for we have been entrusted with that gift.

Romans 12:5-8

The Message (MSG)

4-6 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.

Be the Best you!!

Some of us may not know what the best "you" is....but!!!

Just as in Job 38:39 where it says "God teaches the lionesses to hunt." He will also teach us.

We are created to be a breathtaking example of how to live life.

We are to be the type of people that when others cannot see well, that is when we see the best.

Using the example of the lioness pride, we see that the older ones roar and the younger ones ambush.

In a "hunt" there are many parts chase , pursue, rescue and search. In those roles all the lionesses in the pride function together, using their giftings for the good of all and the protection of their young.

The lioness is fiercely protective of all the prides young. And don't engage the enemy before removing all the young from harm.

They think of the safety of all not just their own. In living life together the lionesses, get pregnant together, give birth together and raise the young together. Doing so allows every cub to have a greater success to survive and thrive.

Every child has an equal right to survive. and EVERY child is in our charge to fiercely protect.

We as women need to unite to protect the young and hunt as a pride. Covering each others weaknesses and while providing our strengths for the better of each other.

Philippians 1:27-30

The Message (MSG)

27-30 Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they’re up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You’re involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter.

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My Friends

My Passion

Well to start I am 29 years old and I love life. I love the fact that is it so unpredictable but that I have a choice as to how I handle each and every life experience. I love having faith. Faith in a God that I can't see but feel almost every moment of every day. I love that I am married to the man of my dreams.. heading on 10years April 12th. He's amazing. I love that he's always by my side supporting me. I love that he's wise, funny, and has a wonderful boyish charm about him. I am also a mommy of five. I love my five beautiful amazing girls. Leanna Harmony (8), Cadence Victoria (7), Rayne Symphony (6), Kassia Lyric (5)and Shaylee Carmen (2). I love being a mom. But I also know it can be soooo hard sometimes. Life is not perfect but it can be a blast. So here I am following the trend of bloggers. Why? Because I love writing and because... I would love to write about the challenges and excitement of being a woman. Raw and real. I hope this blog encourages you ladies out there to embrace who God has made you. We are all at different stages of life but we all have one thing in common. We are all BEAUTIFUL PASSIONATE WOMEN!